Space News Mission Log — Satellite Launches, Orbital Events & Analysis
Daily space news, satellite launch reports, orbital debris analysis and weekly roundups — grounded in live tracking data from our network monitoring 268 published reports.
How Often Do Satellites Maneuver? What Our Detector Sees
Orbital Radar logged 45,196 orbit-change events over the past month. Explore what those detections reveal about satellite activity—and why they are not a count of thruster firings.
This Week in Orbit: 2026-09-13
This week in orbit saw a rich tapestry of scientific insights and celestial events. A significant development was Japan's Hayabusa2 achieving the first-ever laser ranging experiment with an asteroid, marking a milestone in space exploration.
Falcon Heavy Launches U.S. Spy Satellite Amid ISS Crew Rotation
Falcon Heavy successfully launched a U.S. spy satellite, while Crew-13 arrived at the ISS as Crew-12 prepared to depart. Key orbital events for 2 October 2026.
Why Does the ISS Need to Be Reboosted?
Thin air still slows the ISS near 400 km above Earth. Periodic engine burns replace lost orbital energy and keep the station at a useful operating altitude.
How Eclipses Work: Understanding Celestial Shadows
Eclipses occur when one celestial body moves into the shadow of another. Learn how solar and lunar eclipses work, including their mechanics and significance.
This Week in Orbit: 2026-06-28
This week in orbit, a 12-billion-year-old interstellar comet, older than our solar system, captured the attention of astronomers. Meanwhile, SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink satellites into orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from California, contributing to the constellation's expansion.
Meteor's Brief Dance with the Lacerta Nebula
A meteor briefly illuminates the Lacerta Nebula, offering a glimpse into its composition and the atmospheric effects of meteoroids.
This Week in Orbit: 2026-07-12
The past week in orbit has been marked by significant developments in space technology and scientific discovery. NASA's Artemis II mission has set a new streaming record, amassing 149 million views as interest in lunar exploration surges.
Venus and Jupiter's Celestial Dance Over Avebury
Venus and Jupiter's close conjunction offers a stunning view in the twilight skies, captured over the historic Avebury stone circle.
Elveo Mobile Launched to Revolutionise Direct-to-Device Services
Lynk and Omnispace have formed Elveo Mobile to advance direct-to-device services, a significant development in satellite communications.
This Week in Orbit: 2026-07-26
This week saw the safe return of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, marking the end of an eight-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). NASA astronaut Chris Williams and his crewmates were among those returning, highlighting the ongoing collaboration between international space agencies
Understanding Orbital Decay: Why Satellites Fall to Earth
Orbital decay is the gradual reduction of a satellite's orbit due to atmospheric drag and gravitational forces, leading to eventual reentry.